Drivetime Sports

Franklin and Love named SEC Players of the Week

11/22/2010 9:38 AM

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Two Arkansas players were recognized by the Southeastern Conference on Monday, as linebacker Jerry Franklin was named SEC Defensive Player of the Week and tackle DeMarcus Love was named SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week.

Franklin led Arkansas’ defense with a career-high 20 tackles in the Razorbacks’ 38-31 double-overtime win at Mississippi State last Saturday. His tackle total, which also included a career-high-tying two tackles for a loss, is the 10th-highest single-game total in Arkansas history and the most for a Razorback since Ken Hamlin’s 22 against Troy in 2002. Franklin’s 20 tackles also are the most for any defender on a Coach Petrino-led team, bettering the previous mark of 16 by Freddy Burton against Alabama in 2008, and the fourth-highest single-game total in the NCAA this season.

Love anchored the Arkansas offensive line that paved the way for 488 yards of total offense on 61 plays, an average of 8.0 yards per play. Running back Knile Davis accumulated a career-high 187 rushing yards on a career-high 30 carries. It was the first time Mississippi State had allowed a 100-yard rusher since Alabama’s Mark Ingram on Nov. 14, 2009, and the first time an individual eclipsed 150 yards on the ground against the Bulldogs since Auburn’s Ben Tate on Sept. 12, 2009. The UA offensive line also blocked for quarterback Ryan Mallett, who threw for 305 yards and three touchdowns on his way to tying the Arkansas record for career touchdown passes and recording his second straight 3,000-yard passing season.

The 12th-ranked Razorbacks wrap up their regular season Saturday by facing No. 6 LSU in Little Rock. The sold-out game from War Memorial Stadium will be broadcast on CBS at 2:30 p.m.